"Do what you want in order to send me as soon as possible from this transient life to eternal life. I am Christ's slave, I follow Christ, for Christ I die that I may live with Him!" - St. John of Decapolis before his martyrdom at the hands of the Turkish Muslims.

I use the name "Protestant church" as an umbrella name for all the different branches of everything else but the Orthodox and also Catholic church. I grew up attending the "Uniting church", and then when I became more involved in Christianity I joined the "Baptist church" which is what I attended before coming to Orthodoxy.

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"Without sorrows there is no salvation. On the other hand, the Kingdom of God awaits those who have patiently endured. And all the glory of the world is nothing in comparison." - St Seraphim of Sarov

Nice try...but no...to an agnostic 'Ecumenist' isn't an insult. Only to a traditionalist. How about calling me 'narrow-minded' or a 'bible-thumper' or 'reactionary' or saying that I'm 'blinded by religion' or 'decieved by a primitive mythology'...now THOSE are the kinds of insults and/or comments I would expect from a good agnostic

Sure it is. It might not be an insult if said by little Jane Hatesallthingschristian, who would repeat the stupidest lies imaginable if she thought it would hurt Christianity. But as someone who wishes to view Christianity in an intellectually honest way, I can use the word ecumenist as a pejorative just as much as I could use it as a pejorative when speaking of certain Sufi Muslims; ie. if I consider a religion to be exclusivistic, and someone considers themselves part of that religion, then it would indeed be an insult (on my part, if not on the other party) to call someone an ecumenist. Thus, it is an insult, not because I consider ecumenism itself to be wrong (what do I care?), but because by throwing the term out I am essentially claiming that the person in question is contradicting their own belief system, or at least inconsistent. I suppose less subtle attacks like "Jesus lied!" might be more in keeping with internet (and many real world published) agnostics and skeptics... but, no thanks. I like being confusing.

I think I fall in line with Asteriktos. I converted, and now am on my way out the back door from Orthodoxy. I still respect the Fathers, and still read their books (extremly fond of the writings of Isaac of Syria, as you can see). Umm...I'd probably say I'm at the "back door" looking out, but haven't yet left; in other words, I'm in a state of "spiritual limbo" if such a thing exhists. It seems the very zeal I had for the faith has turned me away from it (funny how things work like that sometimes). Well, I hope all is well with everyone

I chose converted, but that doesn't say much. Being Serbian, my ancestors in recent history would largely have been Orthodox. In fact, I had a great-great-grandfather who was a priest. But I was not raised in the faith, and was an atheist until I was 12 (I was baptized 2 months before I was 10, but as an atheist). So I consider myself a convert.

I am a Roman Catholic just beginning to seriously investigate Orthodoxy which I feel is really drawing me closer to our Father of Mercy. On another note, I find the name calling and snide remarks among some members childish boring and distracting. In the name of our dear Jesus, for the salvation of souls, I humbly request those who feel so inclined to act this way do so by private message only. I can't see how it is very Christian of whatever type. It is not unique to this board so don't feel I am criticizing Orthodoxy by saying so. your little brother in Christ, Marion

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In the gardenHe made it all so simpleHe who lives by the swordShall die by the swordAnd He healed the servants ear(Apologies to Author)

On another note, I find the name calling and snide remarks among some members childish boring and distracting.

No offense brother, but we are not here to convince people to convert, therefor if you dont like how some (it is a minority) people act, no one is forcing you to keep coming back or holding you against your will.

BTW, arent the words boring and childish near antonyms?

May Christ be with us all,

Srdjan

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Христе Боже, Распети и Свети!

"In the history of the human race there have been three principal falls: that of Adam, that of Judas, and that of the pope." Saint Justin Popovic